Monthly cruise nights to begin

Beginning Saturday, March 16, the third Saturday of each month will be cruise night on the Neosho Square.

Mark Cupps, with the Neosho Shrine Club, is the main organizer behind the monthly “Cruisin for Shrine” events, which are set to run through October.

Cupps said he used to host cruise nights in Joplin, in a parking lot near his business, Mac’s Convenience Store. However, he sold the property that parking lot was located on. Now, he plans to bring the event to the Neosho Square.

“We saw as many as 500 come on a night,” Cupps said. “I hope to make Neosho even bigger.”

The cruise nights will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and have a $10 voluntary fee for all participants.

The events will also include live music and food, such as hamburgers and hot dogs. Cupps said cars of all kinds, including rat rods, drag cars, and even motorcycles are welcome at the cruise nights.

“If it’s a cool ride and you’re proud of it or you’re working on it and going to be proud of it, bring it out,” he said.

While the Neosho Square has hosted car shows in the recent past, Cupps said he wants to make the event more than that.

“Hopefully it will be a real cruise night,” Cupps said.

He said he hopes to bring back the feel of cruising the square years ago.

Unlike most car shows, only one award will be given at the monthly cruise nights. Cupps said one participant will receive a trophy for the coolest ride of the night.

Meanwhile, proceeds raised from the cruise nights will go to benefit the Neosho Shrine Club, and eventually to help with children’s medical costs.

“Right now we spend most of our funds to help with travel for the kids,” Cupps said, noting the long distances some children and their families may have to travel to get the medical care they need.